The panhandler at the intersection

After Matthew 5:38-42 

You see him with his cardboard

sign, “Will work for food,” or

something like it, bearded,

unkempt, likely needs a bath,

and he walks slowly alongside

the cars at the red light, making

eye contact of he can, while

you sit , feeling trapped, locking

your car doors, refusing to make

eye contact, silently fuming

at the threat to safety (yours),

the potential for accidents,

someone getting hurt, 

wondering why laws don’t

forbid this or why judges

strike down laws that do.

 

Then you remember the man

on the hillside, speaking 

to his followers, with his

quiet, dangerous words,

reminding you to give

to the one who begs from 

you, and the one who

would borrow from you.

 

Photograph by Zach Lucero via Unsplash. Used with permission.